A project celebrating Haruomi Hosono’s 55th anniversary since his debut has been announced.
Hosono began his career in 1969 as the bassist for the band April Fool, and later gained recognition as a member of groups like Happy End, Tin Pan Alley, and YMO (Yellow Magic Orchestra). He also left a lasting impact on Japanese music through his solo work, producing, and label management. As he approaches his 55th anniversary in the fall of 2024, a commemorative project in partnership with Sony Music Entertainment is set to launch. One highlight of this project is the opening of a digital museum called “HOSONO MANDALA” in the fall of 2025, which will trace his extensive career spanning over five decades. To announce this, a teaser video featuring a new song by Hosono has been released.
The museum’s statement hints at an exciting exploration of Hosono’s world, uncovering the many unknown and enigmatic aspects of his life and career. The project’s design and editing are being managed by the Misawa Design Laboratory of the Japan Design Center, along with its writers. Additionally, several events and exhibitions related to the museum are planned in the future.
Always shifting. Expanding. Experimental. A swirl of chaos, elusive and hard to grasp. Overflowing with fragments.
Statement for the Digital Museum “HOSONO MANDALA”
Brimming with fresh surprises. Familiar, yet just off-kilter.
It falls from the sky, flows through me as a medium, and pours out.
Tugging at distant memories, resurfacing dreams. Where past and future collide.
A mismatched fusion. Not a straight path, but a winding spiral. Something mysterious and undefinable.
A warped, wonderfully strange chaos.
Additionally, to celebrate the release of HOSONO HOUSE COVERS, a collection of cover songs from Hosono’s first album HOSONO HOUSE, a pop-up shop will be held from Saturday, October 12 to Sunday, October 27 at BIOTOP in Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo. The shop window will feature the artwork for HOSONO HOUSE COVERS, created by Tomoo Gokita. Inside the store, various items will be available, including apparel featuring Gokita’s artwork, T-shirts with original illustrations by Thai manga artist “Tam-kun” (Wisut Ponnimit), and merchandise inspired by the imaginary rental video store “HOSONO VIDEO HOUSE.” The “HOSONO VIDEO HOUSE” goods were produced by KAKUBARHYTHM and stylist Daisuke Iga.
HOSONO HOUSE COVERS is set for release on Wednesday, November 6, with a limited-edition 7-inch single featuring two tracks from the album, available for early purchase exclusively at the pop-up shop. Each jacket was designed by a different artist: Tomoyuki Yanagi for mei ehara’s Jusho Futei Mushoku Teishunyu, Kaoru Sato for SE SO NEON’s Party, Naritomo Yoshizawa for Akiko Yano’s Rock-a-Bye My Baby, and Kyoka Tanno for kukuku’s CHOO CHOO Gatagoto.
Furthermore, a special issue of Pen magazine focusing on Haruomi Hosono is scheduled for release on Thursday, November 28. More exciting projects are planned, with details to be announced gradually.
HOSONO HOUSE COVERS POP UP SHOP
Period: October 12 (Sat) – 27 (Sun), 2024
Venue: BIOTOP | 4-6-44 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Limited 7-inch single from “HOSONO HOUSE COVERS
mei ehara “Jusho Futei Mushoku Teishunyu” / SE SO NEON “Party”
Price: 2,200 yen (tax included)
Akiko Yano “Rock-a-Bye My Baby” / kukuku “CHOO CHOO Gatagoto”
Price: 2,200 yen (tax included)
